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Major Gift Officer


Job Location:

Boston, MA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 122500 - 143500
Posted: 29 September 2026 (6 days ago)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts premier conservation and preservation organization. TheTrusteespreserves for public use and enjoyment properties of exceptional scenic historic and ecological value in properties are open to all and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations toenjoy inperpetuity and have helped protect more than50000 acres including 27000 acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors supporters volunteers andour85000Member encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website.

Posting Information:

Salary Rate:$122500-$143500(Senior Major Gift Officer) $96250-$123750 (Major Gift Officer)

Please note that new employees are placed in the range between $122500 and $140000 (10years experience) and at $96250-$110000 (less than 10years experience)to allow foran equitablestarting salary process and continual salary growth during an employees time atThe Trustees.

Hours per week:40

Job Classification:Full-timeexempt

Job Type:Hybrid

Location:Massachusetts

Each Major Gift Officer will be responsible for a designated geographic region with assignments subject to change based on organizational needs. Ideally the Major Gift Officer will be based within or near their assigned region with an expectation of regular local travel for donor meetings events and other relationship-building activities.

Current regional assignments include:

  • Western Hills & Berkshires/Central & Valley
  • North Shore
  • MetroWest/Charles River Valley
  • Boston/South Shore & Islands

WhatYoullDo:

Your Impact:

The Trusteesisin a transformational chapter throughFor Everyone Forever our bold strategic plan to save steward and share Massachusetts special places for generations to come. As a Major Gift Officer you will be on the front lines of building the donor relationships that make this vision and our historic$325Mcomprehensive campaign possible.

You will connect individuals and families to the places programs and mission they care about most while helping them see how their philanthropy can createbroaderimpact across Massachusetts. Your work will support campaign priorities grow the major gift pipeline increase flexible and impact-centered support and help build a stronger culture of philanthropy rooted in storytelling stewardship and long-term donor engagement.

The Role:

As a Major Gift Officer you will manage a personal portfolio of approximately 150 donors and prospects with a focus on gifts of $25000 and above. You willidentify qualify cultivatesolicit and steward individual donors with creativity preparation and care developing tailored strategies for each relationship and working toward a goal ofsecuringmore than$1M in gifts annually.

This role requires strong relationship management disciplined portfolio movement and the ability to connect donor interests to organizational and campaign priorities. Many Trustees donors have deep personal connections to specific properties programs regions or communities. You will honor those connections while helping donors understand the broader impact of their giving and the opportunity to support The Trustees statewide mission through campaign unrestricted legacy and other flexible philanthropic commitments.

Working closely with theSenior Director ofPhilanthropyand colleagues across Development you will help create a donor experience that is thoughtful coordinated mission-centered and grounded in the tangible impact of The Trustees work.

Specificallyyoull:

  • Manage aregionally-basedportfolio of approximately 150 major gift donors and prospects emphasizing gifts of $25000 or greater and building toward $1M inphilanthropiccommitmentsper year.
  • AdvanceThe Trustees$325Mcomprehensive campaign byidentifying cultivatingsoliciting and stewarding donors whose interests align with campaign prioritiesstrategic initiatives and long-term organizational needs.
  • Develop individualized donor strategies thatactivelymove prospects through the campaign pipeline including qualification cultivation solicitation proposal development gift closure and stewardship.
  • Prepare donors for campaign solicitations by connecting their interests in specific properties programs communities or regions to broaderTrusteespriorities and statewide impact.
  • Identifynewopportunitiesand aimto securecampaign commitments unrestricted support legacy gifts and other flexiblephilanthropic investments that advanceFor EveryoneForever.
  • Partner with theSenior Director ofPhilanthropyto set campaign-related portfolio priorities review solicitation timing assess donor readiness and ensure consistent progress toward campaign and annual fundraising goals.
  • Prepare compelling campaign proposals donor briefings stewardship updates and impact narratives in partnership with Development colleagues Marketing and Communications and program/property staff.
  • Participate actively in campaign pipeline review portfolio review andmovesmanagement conversations bringing forward donor insights strategy questions next-step recommendations and solicitation opportunities.
  • Use Salesforceactively andconsistently to track donor activity next steps proposals campaign opportunities gift conversations solicitation timelines and pipeline progress.
  • Maintain and deepen relationships with existing donors through personalized outreach including meetings property visits project updates campaign briefings event invitations written communications and stewardship touchpoints.
  • Conduct prospect research and collaborate with Development Operationsand research colleagues when available toidentifynew campaign prospects and prepare for donor meetings.
  • Serve as a Development partner to regional property committees and volunteer groupsidentifyingcampaign prospects and deepening donor engagement through meaningful involvement.
  • Partner with Events Membership Annual Giving Planned Giving and Development Operations to ensure a coordinated and donor-centered experience that supports both campaign and annual fundraising goals.
  • Support fundraising galas campaign events property gatherings and donor engagement opportunities by helpingidentifyprospects build and steward host committees and conducttimelyfollow-up.
  • Work collaboratively across the Development team and the broader organization to advance campaign priorities and fundraising goals with creativity preparation and a strong commitment to The Trustees mission.
  • Travel to donor meetings property events campaign events and cultivation opportunities across the Commonwealth; some evening and weekend availabilityrequired.

This is afull-time non-exemptposition (40hours/week)reporting directly toSenior Director ofPhilanthropy



Requirements

WhatYoullNeed:

Skills and Experience:

Required:

  • 8-10yearsof fundraising experience withdemonstratedsuccess in major gifts annual fund and/or plannedgivingsolicitations
  • Proven front-line fundraiser with experience building and managing a donor portfolio anda track recordof securing five- and six-figure gifts
  • Articulatestrategicsolution-orientedand entrepreneurial with a strong ability to listen write and speak effectively
  • Highly motivated self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in exceptional preparation for every donor interaction
  • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work seamlessly across teams and communicate effectively at multiple levels of an organization
  • Excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills
  • Proficiencywith Salesforce or a comparable CRM system
  • Bachelors degree or equivalent experience

Preferred:

  • Experience in conservation land stewardship environmental or cultural preservation organizations
  • Familiarity with planned giving and legacy gift solicitation
  • An understanding of philanthropic communities in specific regions of Massachusetts
  • Strong creative event planning skills and experience building host committees or donor engagement programming

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Current authorization to work in the United States a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
  • A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Dont quite have all the skills and experience listed above We still want to hear from you!Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

QuestionsContact our People team at



Benefits

Your Benefits:

  • Sick time:120hoursper year
  • Vacation time:20daysper year(prorated)
  • Holidaytime:12 set holidays 3 floating
  • Health insurance:You are eligible toparticipatein the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offersadditionalbenefits such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment
  • Employee Assistance Program:Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues such as mental health support counseling and financial advice.
  • Reciprocity:Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
  • Discounts:Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties discount event tickets and discounted merchandise at our storesand onstays at our inns.
  • Day of Wonder:Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property
  • Day of Service:Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including but not limited to age race ethnicity sex gender sexual preferences nation of origin religion or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color persons with varying abilities women and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees commitment to advancing the organizations vision for this work may be found here:Diversity Belonging Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process please contact us at.


Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority


About Company

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Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value i ... View more

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